Small businesses throughout Namibia are benefiting from new prospects via the Ministry of Mines, Industries and Energy's Equipment Assistance Program, a governmental effort aimed at providing micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with the necessary resources to expand, generate employment, and promote economic growth.
The initiative, launched during the 2009/2010 fiscal year under the guidance of the late President Hage Geingob, was designed to assist business owners in lowering the expenses associated with starting a venture by supplying them with necessary tools.
Suspended in 2016 because of financial challenges and the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the program was brought back in 2023 with updated guidelines to more accurately align with current business requirements.
Currently, the initiative focuses on sectors including manufacturing, agro-food processing, metal and gemstone production, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and artisanal mining.
Deputy Minister of Mines, Industries and Energy Gaudentia Kröhne stated that over 3,200 MSMEs in all 14 regions have gained advantages since the initiative started.
Some of these companies have grown into established businesses that now hire employees and act as examples for new entrepreneurs.
For numerous small enterprises, having access to machinery can be a turning point.
It lowers initial expenses, increases output, and enables them to vie in larger markets.
"This assistance enables small and medium enterprises to transition from merely surviving to achieving genuine growth. It also guarantees that Namibians gain direct advantages from local manufacturing rather than relying on imports," stated Kröhne.
In addition to providing equipment assistance, the ministry has also initiated training and development initiatives.
The EMPRETEC Namibia program, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), aims to transform the thinking of business owners by promoting hands-on business abilities, financial knowledge, and entrepreneurial skills.
Starting from 2023, over 138 MSMEs and 325 people have gained advantages through business development and financial education programs.
A crucial element is the Gemstone Cutting and Polishing Training Programme, designed to provide young Namibians with the expertise needed to join the diamond and gemstone sectors.
The initiative has successfully trained 235 individuals from Karibib, with 68% of them finding employment in the sector.
At present, 28 trainees are participating, and additional numbers are anticipated for the 2025/2026 fiscal year.
For small and medium enterprises, these efforts go beyond mere machinery or education.
They refer to stability, expansion, and an opportunity to engage in the economy on equal terms.
By providing business owners with the appropriate resources and expertise, the government is establishing a basis for more robust local industries, increased employment opportunities, and long-term community growth.
As a small-scale business owner in the food industry mentioned during a recent discussion, "with this assistance, we don't just imagine expansion—we witness it unfolding before our eyes."
The Equipment Assistance Program and associated training efforts are rapidly turning into a crucial support system for small businesses in Namibia, helping the SME sector maintain its essential contribution to the nation's economic outlook.
Beneficiary Rosalia Jonas from Omuthiya constituency, who was given laundry equipment worth N$61,282 to enhance her Rejoice laundry business, stated that her life has been changed by the ministry.
"This was an amazing experience. My life has improved permanently. I have faced challenges for a long time. Now, I am able to support myself and generate job opportunities for others. As you can observe, the employment level is quite high in Namibia. I will be working hard to make sure that others also gain from job creation," emphasized Jonas.
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Tagged: Namibia, Economy, Business and Finance, Southern Africa
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